Terminal

ABSTRACT

A terminal ( 1 ) has resilient curl portions ( 3, 3 ) integrally formed respectively on opposite side edges of a base plate portion ( 2 ), each of the resilient curl portions ( 3, 3 ) being inwardly bent into a generally mountain-like cross-sectional shape. Retaining piece portions ( 5, 5 ) are integrally formed respectively on the resilient curl portions ( 3, 3 ), and the retaining piece portions ( 5, 5 ) have flat surfaces, respectively, which are spaced a desired distance at least from as the base plate portion ( 2 ) in generally parallel relation thereto, and one end ( 15 ) of each of the retaining piece portions, forming part of a contour thereof, is engageable with a retaining member ( 23 ) formed on a connector housing ( 20 ) for receiving the terminal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a female terminal havingresilient curl portions of a generally mountain-like cross-sectionalshape integrally formed respectively on opposite side edges of a baseplate portion.

[0003] The present application is based on Japanese Patent ApplicationNo. Hei. 11-348496, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] A connector, used for connecting vehicle's wire harnesses or thelike together, comprises a plurality of electrically-conductiveterminals, and a connector housing of a synthetic resin for receivingthe plurality of terminals. Each terminal, received in the connectorhousing, is retained against withdrawal by a retaining member providedin the connector housing.

[0006] One female terminal for connection to a male tab-like terminalhas the following construction. Namely, this female terminal is formedby an electrically-conductive metal sheet, and a pair of resilient curlportions are formed on a front portion of a base plate portion of theterminal, and conductor clamping portions and sheath clamping portionsfor a wire are formed on a rear portion of the base plate portion.

[0007] The pair of resilient curl portions, each bent into a generallymountain-like cross-sectional shape, are integrally formed respectivelyon opposite side edges of the base plate portion, and the male tab-liketerminal can be inserted into a space, formed by the resilient curlportions, from front ends thereof toward rear ends thereof, to beconnected to the resilient curl portions. A retaining member, formed ona connector housing, can engage the rear ends of the resilient curlportions in such a manner that the retaining member is slightlyelastically deformed. A distal end portion of the retaining member canrest on and engage inner slanting surfaces of the pair of resilient curlportions (The same condition occurs in the case of curved surfaces).

[0008] In the above related female terminal, the resilient curl portionshave a generally mountain-like cross-sectional shape, and therefore theamount of displacement of the distal end portion of theelastically-deformed retaining member, engaged with the rear ends of theresilient curl portions, is liable to be varied because of theadjustment of an inserting force (required for inserting the terminalinto the connector housing) and a load of contact of the terminal withthe male tab-like terminal.

[0009] As a result, an inspecting process, which is effected by the useof a connector inspecting instrument so as to detect a half-insertedcondition of the terminal in accordance with the position of theretaining member in its engaged condition, is affected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention has been made under the abovecircumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide aterminal designed to stabilize the amount of displacement of a retainingmember.

[0011] To achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of thepresent invention, there is provided a metal terminal of a female type,which comprises a base plate portion, an electrical contact portion, towhich a mating male tab-like terminal is connectable, formed on the baseplate portion, the electrical contact portion including resilient curlportions which extend from opposite side edges of the base plateportion, and are inwardly bent to form curls thereof, and retainingpiece portions integrally formed respectively on the resilient curlportions, the retaining piece portions having surfaces which are spaceda desired distance at least from the base plate portion in generallyparallel relation thereto, wherein one ends of the retaining pieceportions, partially forming respective contours of the resilient curlportions, are engageable with a retaining member of a connector housingwhich is receivable the terminal. In the present invention, when theterminal is received in the connector housing, the elastically-deformedretaining member engages the one ends of the retaining piece portions.Also, the retaining member rests on the surfaces of the retaining pieceportions disposed parallel to the base plate portion. The retainingpiece portions are spaced the desired distance from the base plateportion, and therefore the amount of displacement of the retainingmember before and after the engagement with the retaining piece portionsis stabilized. By thus stabilizing the displacement amount, thedetection of a half-inserted condition of the terminal can be positivelyeffected by a connector inspecting instrument. With respect to themating male tab-like terminal, it may be extended in the electricalcontact portion from front ends toward rear ends of the resilient curlportions when connecting to the electrical contact portion. Each of theresilient curl portions may have a generally mountain-like shape in across section thereof.

[0012] According to the second aspect of the present invention, it ispreferable that the one ends of the retaining piece portions and rearends of the resilient curl portions are disposed in a common plane. Inthis case, when the terminal is received in the connector housing, theposition of engagement of the retaining member is the same as in therelated construction. Therefore, the structure of the connector housingdoes not need to be changed.

[0013] According to the third aspect of the present invention, it ispreferable that the one ends of the retaining piece portions arecontinuous with the rear ends of the resilient curl portions. In thiscase, the retaining piece portions can be relatively easily formedintegrally on the resilient curl portions, respectively. For example,each retaining piece portion can be easily formed by stamping a pieceportion (including the rear end of the resilient curl portion) from theresilient curl portion and bending it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one preferred embodiment of aterminal of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a condition in which theterminal is completely received in a connector housing; and

[0016]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a condition in which theterminal is half inserted in the connector housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] One preferred embodiment of the present invention now will bedescribed with reference to the drawings.

[0018] In FIG. 1, the female terminal 1 is formed by pressing anelectrically-conductive metal sheet a plurality of times. The terminal 1includes a spatula-like base plate portion 2, a pair of resilient curlportions 3 and 3, a pair of electrical contact piece portions 4 and 4, apair of retaining piece portions 5 and 5, a pair of conductor clampingportions 6 and 6, and a pair of sheath clamping portions 7 and 7. Theportions 3, the portions 4 and the portions 5 are formed at a frontportion of the base plate portion 2 whereas the portions 6 and theportions 7 are formed at a rear portion of the base plate portion 2.

[0019] The front portion of this terminal serves as an electricalcontact portion for a mating male tab-like terminal (not shown), and therear portion thereof serves as a wire connection portion for a wire 8,for example, of a vehicle's wire harness.

[0020] An electrical contact convex portion 9 is formed on the frontportion of the base plate portion 2 by embossing, and bulges toward theresilient curl portions 3 and 3. The electrical contact convex portion 9cooperates with the electrical contact piece portions 4 and 4 to holdthe mating male tab-like terminal (not shown) therebetween. Theelectrical contact convex portion 9 has a tapering surface 10 formedover an entire periphery thereof, and a front portion of the taperingsurface 10 can guide the mating male tab-like terminal (not shown) intoa predetermined position.

[0021] The resilient curl portions 3 and 3 are integrally formedrespectively on opposite side edges of the front portion of the baseplate portion 2, and each curl portion 3 has a piece-like shape having alarge width in a direction of extending of the base plate portion 2.This piece-like portion, forming the curl portion 3, is inwardly bentinto a generally mountain-like cross-sectional shape. An outer slantingsurface 11 of each resilient curl portion 3 is defined by anabruptly-slanting surface (because of the generally mountain-likecross-sectional shape) disposed almost perpendicularly to the base plateportion 2. On the other hand, an inner slanting surface 12 of each curlportion is defined by a gently-slanting surface much smaller ininclination than the outer slanting surface 11.

[0022] Each of the electrical contact piece portions 4 and 4 has astrip-like shape, and extends in the direction of extending of the baseplate portion 2. The distal end portion of each resilient curl portion 3is bent obliquely upwardly at a small angle to form the electricalcontact piece portion 4. Front ends 13 and 13 of the electrical contactpiece portions 4 and 4 are curved upwardly so as to guide the matingmale tab-like terminal (not shown) into the predetermined position. Thefront ends 13 and 13 of the electrical contact piece portions 4 and 4are disposed inwardly of front ends 14 and 14 of the resilient curlportions 3 and 3, respectively.

[0023] The pair of retaining piece portions 5 and 5 are integrallyformed on the inner slanting portions (surfaces) 12 and 12 of theresilient curl portions 3 and 3, and each of the retaining pieceportions 5 and 5 has a surface disposed parallel to a flat surfaceportion of the base plate portion 2. In other words, piece portions of arectangular shape are stamped respectively from the inner slantingportions 12 and 12, and are arranged in a cantilever manner such thateach of these piece portions has the surface parallel to the flatsurface portion of the base plate portion 2. The retaining pieceportions 5 and 5 are spaced at least from the flat surface portion ofthe base plate portion 2. One end 15 of each retaining piece portion 15,forming part of the contour thereof, is disposed in a plane, in which arear end 16 of the resilient curl portion 3 (and hence a rear end of theinner slanting portion 12) lies, in continuous relation to this rear end16.

[0024] Thus, the one end 15 of each of the retaining piece portions 15and 15 is disposed in the plane, in which the rear end 16 lies, incontinuous relation to the rear end 16, and with this construction theposition of engagement of a retaining member 23 (described later; seeFIG. 2) is the same as in the related construction. Therefore, thestructure of the connector housing 20 (described later) does not need tobe changed. And besides, the retaining piece portions 5 and 5 can berelatively easily formed integrally on the resilient curl portions,respectively (The retaining piece portions do not need to be bent, forexample, as much as the electrical contact piece portions 4 and 4).

[0025] The retaining piece portions 5 and 5 do not need to be accuratelyparallel to the base plate portion 2 in so far as these retaining pieceportions 5 and 5 can hold the elastically-deformed retaining member 23(described later; see FIG. 2), engaged therewith, at a level (or height)spaced a desired distance from the base plate portion 2.

[0026] The pair conductor clamping portions 6 and 6 of a rectangularshape are integrally formed respectively on opposite side edges of afront section of the rear portion of the base plate portion 2, and serveto hold a conductor 18 (exposed by removing a sheath 17) of the wire 8at an end portion thereof. The conductor clamping portions 6 and 6 arecompressively deformed to hold the conductor 18.

[0027] Frame portions 19 and 19 of a small height are integrally formedrespectively on the opposite side edges of the base plate portion 2,.and each frame portion 19 extends between the conductor clamping portion6 and the resilient curl portion 3.

[0028] The pair of sheath clamping portions 7 and 7 serve to hold thesheath 17 of the wire 8, and have a rectangular shape, and are larger inlength than the conductor clamping portions 6 and 6. The sheath clampingportions 7 and 7 are integrally formed respectively on opposite sideedges of a rear section of the base plate portion 2. The sheath clampingportions 7 and 7 are compressively deformed to hold the sheath 17, andthe conductor 18, covered with the sheath 17, is compressed through thesheath 17.

[0029] In the above construction, as shown in FIG. 2, the terminal 1 isreceived in the connector housing 2 of a synthetic resin so as to beconnected to the mating male tab-like terminal (not shown). In FIG. 2,the connector 21 comprises a plurality of terminals 1 (only one of whichis shown), and the connector housing 20.

[0030] First, the construction of the connector housing 20 will bedescribed briefly, and then the process of assembling the connector 21will be described.

[0031] A plurality of (for example, corresponding in number to theterminals 1) terminal receiving chambers 22 (only one of which is shown)are formed in the connector housing 20. The retaining member 23 (oftenreferred to as “lance”) for engagement with the terminal 1 to preventthe withdrawal of the terminal from the terminal receiving chamber 22 isformed integrally within the terminal receiving chamber 22 in aprojected manner. The retaining member 23 has an arm-like shape, and iselastic. A retaining projection portion 25 is formed on and projectsfrom the retaining member 23, and is disposed adjacent to a distal endportion 24 of the retaining member 23. The retaining projection portion25 is formed on that side of the retaining member 23 facing the terminal1.

[0032] Reference numeral 26 denotes a terminal insertion port open to arear end 27 of the connector housing 20. Reference numeral 28 denotes aconnection port formed in a front wall 29 serving also as a stopper forthe terminal 1. Reference numeral 30 denotes a lance displacementdetection pin of a connector inspecting instrument.

[0033] In the above construction, for assembling the connector 21, theterminals 1 are inserted respectively into the corresponding terminalreceiving chambers 22. When the terminal 1 is inserted into the terminalreceiving chamber 22, the retaining member 23 is much elasticallydeformed by the resilient curl portions 3 and 3 (see FIG. 3). In thiscondition, when the terminal 1 is further inserted, so that theretaining piece portions 5 and 5 pass past the retaining projectionportion 25 of the elastically-deformed retaining member 23, theretaining member 23 tends to be restored into its original position, andas a result the retaining member 23 engages the retaining piece portions5 and 5. Namely, a corner portion, defined by the distal end portion 24and the retaining projection portion 25 of the retaining member 23, isengaged with the one ends 15 and 15 of the retaining piece portions 5and 5. At this time, the distal end portion 24 of the retaining member23 rests on the retaining piece portions 5 and 5. The retaining member23, when thus engaged with the terminal, is restored into a slightlyelastically-deformed condition as compared with its original conditionbefore the insertion of the terminal 1.

[0034] The completed connector 21 is inspected by the connectorinspecting instrument so as to determine whether or not any of theterminals 1 is in a half-inserted condition.

[0035] When the terminal 1 is positively received in the terminalreceiving chamber 22, the distal end portion 24 of the retaining member23 is always held in the stable position by the retaining piece portions5 and 5 (Since the retaining piece portions 5 and 5 are spaced thedesired distance from the base plate portion 2 as described above, theposition of the distal end portion 24 will not be varied by thecondition of the resilient curl portions 3 and 3 and so on. Namely, thisposition will not be influenced by the adjustment of a contact load andso on. Therefore, the amount of displacement of the distal end portion24 in the engaged condition is stable). Therefore, when the lancedisplacement detection pin 30 of the connector inspecting instrument isinserted into the terminal receiving chamber 22, this pin 30 will notabut against the retaining member 23, and the inspecting process can becarried out positively. When an electrical contact pin 31, shown in FIG.3, is brought into contact with the terminal 1 to be electricallyconnected thereto, it is confirmed that the terminal 1 is positivelyreceived in the terminal receiving chamber.

[0036] In FIG. 3, when the terminal 1 is in a half-inserted condition,the retaining member 23 is much elastically deformed, and is kept seatedon the retaining piece portions 5 and 5. Therefore, when the lancedisplacement detection pin 30 is inserted into the terminal receivingchamber 22, this pin 30 is brought into abutting engagement with theretaining member 23, thereby detecting the half-inserted condition ofthe terminal. Namely, the electrical contact pin 31 is not brought intocontact with the terminal 1, and hence is not electrically connectedthereto, and therefore the half-inserted condition is detected.

[0037] As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, since theterminal 1 has the retaining piece portions 5 and 5, the amount ofdisplacement of the retaining member 23 before and after the engagementis stabilized. By thus stabilizing the displacement amount, thedetection of a half-inserted condition of the terminal 1 can bepositively effected by the connector inspecting instrument.

[0038] Various modifications can be made without departing from thescope of the present invention.

[0039] Although the retaining piece portions 5 and 5 are spaced thedesired distance from the base plate portion 2, these retaining pieceportions 5 and 5 are so arranged as not to be caught by the retainingmember 23 when the terminal 1 is inserted into the terminal receivingchamber 22.

[0040] As described above, in the present invention, when the terminalis received in the connector housing, the elastically-deformed retainingmember engages the one ends of the retaining piece portions. Also, theretaining member rests on the surfaces of the retaining piece portionsdisposed parallel to the base plate portion. The retaining pieceportions are spaced the desired distance from the base plate portion,and therefore the amount of displacement of the retaining member beforeand after the engagement with the retaining piece portions isstabilized. By thus stabilizing the displacement amount, the detectionof a half-inserted condition of the terminal can be positively effectedby the connector inspecting instrument.

[0041] Therefore, there is achieved an advantageous effect that therecan be provided the terminal in which the amount of displacement of theelastically-deformed retaining member is stabilized.

[0042] In the present invention, the one end of each of the retainingpiece portions and the rear end of the resilient curl portion aredisposed in the common plane. Therefore, when the terminal is receivedin the connector housing, the position of engagement of the retainingmember is the same as in the related construction.

[0043] Therefore, the structure of the connector housing does not needto be changed, and therefore there is achieved an advantageous effectthat there can be provided the terminal of the better construction.

[0044] In the present invention, the one end of each of the retainingpiece portions is continuous with the rear end of the resilient curlportion, and therefore the retaining piece portions can be relativelyeasily formed integrally on the resilient curl portions, respectively.

[0045] Therefore, there is achieved an advantageous effect that therecan be provided the terminal of the better construction.

What is claimed is:
 1. A metal terminal of a female type, comprising: abase plate portion; an electrical contact portion, to which a matingmale tab-like terminal is connectable, formed on the base plate portion,the electrical contact portion including resilient curl portions whichextend from opposite side edges of the base plate portion, and areinwardly bent to form curls thereof; and retaining piece portionsintegrally formed respectively on the resilient curl portions, theretaining piece portions having surfaces which are spaced a desireddistance at least from the base plate portion in generally parallelrelation thereto, wherein one ends of the retaining piece portions,partially forming respective contours of the resilient curl portions,are engageable with a retaining member of a connector housing which isreceivable the terminal.
 2. The terminal of claim 1 , wherein the oneends of the retaining piece portions and rear ends of the resilient curlportions are disposed in a common plane.
 3. The terminal of claim 2 ,wherein the one ends of the retaining piece portions are continuous withthe rear ends of the resilient curl portions.
 4. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the mating male tab-like terminal is extended in theelectrical contact portion from front ends toward rear ends of theresilient curl portions when connecting to the electrical contactportion.
 5. The terminal of claim 1 , wherein each of the resilient curlportions has a generally mountain-like shape in a cross section thereof.